A changing table is a useful piece of baby furniture in an infant’s room, along with other baby nursery basics like the crib and glider. Changing tables make changing diapers easier and help you keep the nursery organized and clean.

While a changing table isn’t a must-have item, it is certainly convenient, considering you’ll change more than 2,000 diapers in just the first year of your baby’s life. In addition to making diaper changing less of a hassle, a changing table also provides extra storage space for diaper-changing supplies.

Types of Baby Changing Tables

There are several kinds of changing tables:

• Combination changing tables
• Dressers used as changing tables
• Stand alone changing tables.

A combination changing table may have a flip-open top that reveals a padded changing area, which can be dangerous. That’s because the baby’s weight can cause the table to tip. If you choose a combination changing table, choose one that does not flip open and just has a changing area on top of the dresser.

Dressers offer convenience and economy of space if you are short on room in the nursery. You can simply add a removable pad to the top the dresser and use it for changing your baby.

Stand alone changing tables are dedicated pieces of furniture with space for storing baby wipes, diapers and other supplies. These types of changing tables will have more features than a repurposed dresser.

Choosing a Changing Table

When choosing a changing table, it should have the following features:

• Easily accessible (but secure) storage for diapers, creams, lotions, baby powder and ointments
• Guardrail (the higher the better)
• Safety straps
• Sturdy and stable legs (If you can shake the table with your hand, it’s not sturdy enough.)

Changing Table Safety

Make sure the changing table you choose has guardrails on all four sides, as well as safety straps. Even with these safety features, always keep one hand on your baby as you change his diaper. A child can fall off a changing table in a matter of seconds. Storing all diaper-changing supplies within easy reach of the changing table will make this easier. However, storage should not be accessible to small children.

If possible, choose a changing table that is short and wide instead of tall and thin, as these models are less likely to tip over. For added safety, use furniture straps to mount the changing table to the wall.

Do You Really Need a Changing Table?

For most parents, baby changing tables aren’t considered baby nursery basics. Many parents change a baby’s diapers on the floor or on a bed, with just a waterproof changing pad to protect the furniture and floors from messes and germs.

However, a changing table can reduce strain on your back and make diaper changing easier. If space or money is an issue, consider buying a thick changing pad and securing it to the top of a dresser in the nursery. Store diaper-changing supplies in the top drawer.